Posted March 24, 2021
I've finished Ultima 7 Black Gate, and I'm wondering if Ultima 8 or 9 are simular, longer, or shorter in terms of the amount of time it takes to play them to the end?
Thanks.
Thanks.
6502_Workshop
New User
Developer
Registered: May 2019
From United States
Gotcha
Meep
Registered: Sep 2008
From Netherlands
Posted March 24, 2021
Ultima 8 is definitely much shorter, and you can even race through it if you know where to go.
If I'd have to take a rough guess, I'd say it takes about half the time that either TBG or SI takes.
And it's good that it's a lot shorter, since it's unfortunately not a very good game.
Protip: Be prepared when opening chests, because -EVERY- chest in the game explodes, even when you have a key.
Ultima 9, I looked it up and it's about the same as TBG or SI, but if I were you I'd skip this piece of trash altogether.
If you do decide to go for it: Try to ignore the game crapping on lots of established lore, save often and in different slots, and prepare to see a lot of crashes.
If I'd have to take a rough guess, I'd say it takes about half the time that either TBG or SI takes.
And it's good that it's a lot shorter, since it's unfortunately not a very good game.
Protip: Be prepared when opening chests, because -EVERY- chest in the game explodes, even when you have a key.
Ultima 9, I looked it up and it's about the same as TBG or SI, but if I were you I'd skip this piece of trash altogether.
If you do decide to go for it: Try to ignore the game crapping on lots of established lore, save often and in different slots, and prepare to see a lot of crashes.
gog2002x
Modding is fun!
Registered: May 2015
From United States
Posted March 24, 2021
@6502_Workshop
I wanted to thank you for posting all those questions for the Ultima series. It will save a lot of time in the future for people on GOG looking for answers when it comes time for them to start their own adventures.
And you framed you questions in a very nicely structured and consistent manner also. Good work. Ofc, the people who provided the answers deserve a lot of credit as well. :)
.
I wanted to thank you for posting all those questions for the Ultima series. It will save a lot of time in the future for people on GOG looking for answers when it comes time for them to start their own adventures.
And you framed you questions in a very nicely structured and consistent manner also. Good work. Ofc, the people who provided the answers deserve a lot of credit as well. :)
.
Thaumaturge
New User
Registered: Oct 2009
From South Africa
Posted March 24, 2021
I definitely wouldn't recommend skipping Ultima 9, myself. It does have its rough parts--for myself, I'm not a fan of the plot, and it very much has some issues with bugs. However, it also has its charms, I feel--again for myself, I find its implementation of an "open world" to be excellent.
Whatever you come to think of it, I feel that it's worth giving it a try, at least.
(Ultima 8 likewise has its issues and its charms, although it's perhaps a less-divisive entry in the series.)
Whatever you come to think of it, I feel that it's worth giving it a try, at least.
(Ultima 8 likewise has its issues and its charms, although it's perhaps a less-divisive entry in the series.)
6502_Workshop
New User
Developer
Registered: May 2019
From United States
Posted March 25, 2021
If I'd have to take a rough guess, I'd say it takes about half the time that either TBG or SI takes.
And it's good that it's a lot shorter, since it's unfortunately not a very good game.
Protip: Be prepared when opening chests, because -EVERY- chest in the game explodes, even when you have a key.
Ultima 9, I looked it up and it's about the same as TBG or SI, but if I were you I'd skip this piece of trash altogether.
If you do decide to go for it: Try to ignore the game crapping on lots of established lore, save often and in different slots, and prepare to see a lot of crashes.
I wanted to thank you for posting all those questions for the Ultima series. It will save a lot of time in the future for people on GOG looking for answers when it comes time for them to start their own adventures.
And you framed you questions in a very nicely structured and consistent manner also. Good work. Ofc, the people who provided the answers deserve a lot of credit as well. :)
.
Post edited March 25, 2021 by 6502_Workshop
6502_Workshop
New User
Developer
Registered: May 2019
From United States
Posted March 25, 2021
Whatever you come to think of it, I feel that it's worth giving it a try, at least.
(Ultima 8 likewise has its issues and its charms, although it's perhaps a less-divisive entry in the series.)
I've heard about the issues with 8 and 9 for years and I actually look forward to experiencing them first hand to get better feel for the games evolution. That said, if I find them interesting but not fun I won't hesitate to use a walk through or even stop short so as to not prolong the experience :-)
dtgreene
vaccines work she/her
Registered: Jan 2010
From United States
Posted March 25, 2021
Whatever you come to think of it, I feel that it's worth giving it a try, at least.
(Ultima 8 likewise has its issues and its charms, although it's perhaps a less-divisive entry in the series.)
I've heard about the issues with 8 and 9 for years and I actually look forward to experiencing them first hand to get better feel for the games evolution. That said, if I find them interesting but not fun I won't hesitate to use a walk through or even stop short so as to not prolong the experience :-)
Other CRPGs that I'd recommmend looking into for historical reasons, if you haven't already played them, are:
* Wizardry 1-5 (Wizardry 4, in particular, is a one-of-a-kind game, as I don't know of any other game like it)
* Might and Magic 1-5
* Bard's Tale 1-3
* Perhaps the original Dragon Quest (which is very different from modern JRPGs despite being the game that spawned that sub-genre)
I've been thinking of making an RPG myself, though the influences will be different; it's looking like maybe SaGa, Final Fantasy 5 (that entry in particular, with maybe some FF2 influence), and perhaps Wizardy/Bard's Tale, as those games are what I grew up with (albeit only the Game Boy SaGas, and I only played FF2 and FF5 after fan translations came out), and those are the RPGs I generally like the most.
By the way, there's apparently a game coming out for the Apple 2 called Lawless Legends, and there's apparently a demo available; you might be interested in that.
Thaumaturge
New User
Registered: Oct 2009
From South Africa
Posted March 26, 2021
As to walkthroughs, I will not gainsay that! If it's your way of enjoying these games, then I see no problem with it. ^_^
6502_Workshop
New User
Developer
Registered: May 2019
From United States
Posted March 26, 2021
As to walkthroughs, I will not gainsay that! If it's your way of enjoying these games, then I see no problem with it. ^_^
6502_Workshop
New User
Developer
Registered: May 2019
From United States
Posted March 26, 2021
Other CRPGs that I'd recommmend looking into for historical reasons, if you haven't already played them, are:
* Wizardry 1-5 (Wizardry 4, in particular, is a one-of-a-kind game, as I don't know of any other game like it)
* Might and Magic 1-5
* Bard's Tale 1-3
* Perhaps the original Dragon Quest (which is very different from modern JRPGs despite being the game that spawned that sub-genre)
I've been thinking of making an RPG myself, though the influences will be different; it's looking like maybe SaGa, Final Fantasy 5 (that entry in particular, with maybe some FF2 influence), and perhaps Wizardy/Bard's Tale, as those games are what I grew up with (albeit only the Game Boy SaGas, and I only played FF2 and FF5 after fan translations came out), and those are the RPGs I generally like the most.
By the way, there's apparently a game coming out for the Apple 2 called Lawless Legends, and there's apparently a demo available; you might be interested in that.
Regarding the area based progression of enemey strength and character development progression in Nox Archaist being different from classic Ultima despite the other similarities, that was very much intentional. Ultima was always my favorite and made the biggest impression on me but Bard's Tale and Wizardry were also big influences. I always liked Ultima for the story and Bard's Tale and Wizardry for engaging combat and rewarding character progression. One of my goals was to create a CRPG that was strong in both of those gameplay elements.
I am very much looking forward to Lawless Legends.
Good luck on your RPG project if you decide to undertake it. And, thanks for all your help answering my questions over the last few months!
Post edited March 26, 2021 by 6502_Workshop
Andvari_Nidavellir
New User
Registered: Apr 2012
From Denmark
Posted March 27, 2021
I think U8 is a good game overall with the jumping patch. It just isn’t on par with the previous games, which were outstanding. U9 I have never played :)
Thaumaturge
New User
Registered: Oct 2009
From South Africa
Posted March 27, 2021
In which case... I could honestly see you getting through both games without a walkthrough. I really don't feel--speaking for myself, at least--that they're as bad as I've seen claimed.
Ultima IX in particular has few sticking points that I recall. Although you might want a guide to get around some of the more troublesome bugs.
(Be careful when you get to Valoria in particular: I recall there being some really nasty bugs in that location. Save often and in multiple slots, and explore with caution.
That said, most areas should have few such issues, if any, as far as I recall.)
Ultima VIII I could more-easily see you going to a walkthrough for: it can be a little trying, and a little unforgiving, in places, according to my memory. Still, even so, I could also see you getting through the whole thing on your own.
Post edited March 27, 2021 by Thaumaturge
6502_Workshop
New User
Developer
Registered: May 2019
From United States
Posted March 27, 2021
In which case... I could honestly see you getting through both games without a walkthrough. I really don't feel--speaking for myself, at least--that they're as bad as I've seen claimed.
Ultima IX in particular has few sticking points that I recall. Although you might want a guide to get around some of the more troublesome bugs.
(Be careful when you get to Valoria in particular: I recall there being some really nasty bugs in that location. Save often and in multiple slots, and explore with caution.
That said, most areas should have few such issues, if any, as far as I recall.)
Ultima VIII I could more-easily see you going to a walkthrough for: it can be a little trying, and a little unforgiving, in places, according to my memory. Still, even so, I could also see you getting through the whole thing on your own.
rwgomez
New User
Registered: Sep 2011
From United States
Posted March 29, 2021
Thanks.
I just finished U9 this week. It took me about 55 hours and I used walkthroughs here and there. On its own it's not as bad a game as its reputation suggests, but I can see why in the context of the previous games you'd be disappointed.
I have a couple of recommendations before starting U9:
1. Understand the "Ethereal Sight" spell. It is never explained, but its the key to finding a few secrets.
2. Take advantage of the reagents glitch where you can pick up reagents back in to your inventory just before finishing binding a spell. Especially early in the game, your inventory will be clogged with reagents.
3. In the game's folder is a file (i forget the name) that lists the key-bindings and allows you to edit some. Open this file and look at all the key binding options. Many, like ctrl-j to open to most recent journal, are not documented anywhere in the game materials.
4. Consider enabling the key-binding for "Fast Avatar" cheat. It's a large open world and near the end you'll find yourself backtracking and it becomes an absolute chore when the Avatar moves so slow.
Post edited March 29, 2021 by rwgomez
6502_Workshop
New User
Developer
Registered: May 2019
From United States
Posted March 30, 2021
I just finished U9 this week. It took me about 55 hours and I used walkthroughs here and there. On its own it's not as bad a game as its reputation suggests, but I can see why in the context of the previous games you'd be disappointed.
I have a couple of recommendations before starting U9:
1. Understand the "Ethereal Sight" spell. It is never explained, but its the key to finding a few secrets.
2. Take advantage of the reagents glitch where you can pick up reagents back in to your inventory just before finishing binding a spell. Especially early in the game, your inventory will be clogged with reagents.
3. In the game's folder is a file (i forget the name) that lists the key-bindings and allows you to edit some. Open this file and look at all the key binding options. Many, like ctrl-j to open to most recent journal, are not documented anywhere in the game materials.
4. Consider enabling the key-binding for "Fast Avatar" cheat. It's a large open world and near the end you'll find yourself backtracking and it becomes an absolute chore when the Avatar moves so slow.